[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre’s (LAPC) production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre has is developing a profound knack for fantastical productions of iconic stories.
Their production of Frankenstein last year was exceptionally vivid and fearless. Into this year’s season of fright they bring to the wonderful main stage the phenomenal adaptation by Steven Dietz of Bram Stoker’s classic opus, Dracula.
The struggle of one man’s revenge on life and those he seeks to use to heal his far too broken heart are a theme more apt than ever. In our world of dangerous and out of control manifestations of spite and hatred, could there be a more topical story than Dracula? A man who tears himself apart to fill a void. A god, taking life and giving it eternal on a seemingly everlasting search for something as arbitrary to his existence as love. And when he finds it he is destroyed by it.
It’s a dark and dramatic story filled with loss and heartache. It would be easy to dwell on the macabre and the sheer style of this story, drawn from ancient legends, and forget about the humanity in it. But thankfully, this brilliant production, although immersing itself with full fervor of the melodrama and the Edwardian-emo of it, still manages to hold on to the truth. That loss and power can drive us mad and that longing and passion can also.
It’s a masterful and beautifully wrought production full of gorgeous twists and turns and really truly wonderful performances of all these ridiculous and mesmerizing characters. High drama doesn’t really cover it. But for all of us who adore the Francis Ford Coppola version with its campy gorgeousness and the sublime Gary Oldman oozing lust from every pore, to see any Dracula on stage is a dream.
And this production, with its brilliant actors, artful effects and beautifully moody performance, is just utter rapture!!!!
Don’t you just love L.A. this time of year?!
Throw on your cape, sharpen your fangs, and make your way up to the summit of Pierce College, where lies the main theatre of the always wonderful Pierce College Theatre Department. Bring your holy water, and plenty of sharpened wooden stakes…although I make no promise that they will save you…
Tickets:
Where:
Pierce College Main Stage
6201 Winnetka Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91371
When:
October 23-November 1
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm
The Dracula Cast
Haley Anglin, Michi Arroyo, Amir Azadan, Shane Chung, Jack Cullen, Sam Davey, Layla Fatullayeva, Eliot Le Jour, Ryan Marshall, Cadence Palitang, Jonica Patella, Elissa Rosenhaus and Eryn Salinas.
The Team
LAPC Theatre’s production is directed by Esdras Toussaint. The production features scenic design by Edward Salas, costume design by Vincent Oxenhandler, lighting design by Briana Pattillo and sound design by DJ Medina. Jacob Garcia is the stage manager.